Device for dispensing a washing agent in a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher

Abstract

The device ( 1 ) comprises: a body ( 2 ) in which is formed a receptacle ( 3 ) having a mouth ( 4 ) and intended to receive a quantity of washing agent, a cover ( 5 ) connected to the body ( 2 ) and movable between a position in which the mouth ( 4 ) of the said receptacle ( 3 ) is closed and a position in which the mouth is open, and a return spring tending to move the cover ( 5 ) towards the open position. The cover ( 5 ) has a first portion ( 5 a ) hinged to the body ( 2 ) about a first axis ( 7 ) parallel to the mouth ( 4 ) of the receptacle ( 3 ) and translatable along guides ( 6 ) provided in the body ( 2 ), and a second portion ( 5 b ) connected to a crank element ( 8 ) by hinging about a second axis ( 9 ) parallel to the first axis ( 7 ). The crank element ( 8 ) is, in turn, hinged to the body ( 2 ) about a third, fixed axis ( 10 ) which is parallel to the first and second axes ( 7, 9 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Device ( 1 ) for dispensing a washing agent in a washing machine, particularly in a dishwasher, comprising:
 a body ( 2 ) in which is formed an essentially bowl-shaped receptacle ( 3 ) having a mouth ( 4 ) and intended to receive a quantity of washing agent, 
 a cover ( 5 ) connected to the body ( 2 ) and movable with respect to it between a position in which the mouth ( 4 ) of the said receptacle ( 3 ) is closed and a position in which the mouth is open, and 
 return means tending to move the cover ( 5 ) towards the open position; 
 the device ( 1 ) being characterized in that the cover ( 5 ) has a first portion ( 5   a ) hinged to the body ( 2 ) about a first axis ( 7 ) which is essentially parallel to the mouth ( 4 ) of the receptacle ( 3 ) and which is translatable along guide means ( 6 ) provided in the said body ( 2 ), and a second portion ( 5   b ) connected to a crank element ( 8 ) essentially by hinging about a second axis ( 9 ) parallel to the first axis ( 7 ); the said crank element ( 8 ) being hinged to the body ( 2 ) about a third, fixed axis ( 10 ) which is parallel to the said first and second axes ( 7 ,  9 ). 
 
     
     
       2. Device according to  claim 1 , in which the aforesaid third axis ( 10 ) is located on the same side of the plane defined by the first and second axes ( 7 ,  9 ) as the said receptacle ( 3 ). 
     
     
       3. Device according to  claim 1 , in which the said second portion ( 5   b ) of the cover ( 5 ) is curved and externally convex. 
     
     
       4. Device according to  claim 1 , in which the said second axis ( 9 ) is fixed with respect to the cover ( 5 ). 
     
     
       5. Device according to  claim 1 , in which the said second axis ( 9 ) is movable longitudinally with respect to the cover ( 5 ); resilient means ( 13 ) being provided which tend to cause a displacement of the cover ( 5 ) relative to the crank member ( 8 ) in the direction away from the said receptacle ( 3 ).